Californian’s voted this past November 4th for more than just the next President of the United States. On the ballot was a highly controversial proposition designated by the number eight. Prop 8 sought to overturn a California Supreme Court ruling which allowed for gay marriage by a 4-3 vote of Supreme Court justices earlier in the year. Since the ruling, over an estimated 18,000 same-sex couples have married.
Following the election results in which Proposition 8 won with 52.5% of the vote, civil and legal rights organizations have gathered questioning the legality of this victory. Under California law, if a proposition seeks to significantly change the constitution rather than a simple revision, the proposition must have been approved by a two-thirds majority of the Legislature prior to being put on the ballot. Lawsuits have since been filed asking the courts to determine whether this revision sought to amend or revise the Constitution.
Over 20,000 gather in Los Angeles, San Diego and elsewhere to oppose the gay-marriage ban. Proponents of the measure ‘are mixing religion with politics,’ one says. ‘Everyone should have equal rights.’ – Photo Courtesy of Los Angeles Times
There have been demonstrations and protests throughout the state, particularly in San Francisco and Los Angeles protesting the outcome of this ballot measure. For the first time in modern history, a democratic vote has taken away a fundamental civil right – the right for same-sex couples to marry. This is a huge step backwards for society, and an unworthy blow to same-sex couples who have long fought for the right to legal marriage recognition.
The voter breakdown by county (as reported by the Los Angeles Times):
By election day, over $74 million had been raised collectively by both supporters and foes of Proposition 8, an unprecedented dollar value never before seen, and by far the most costly measure on the ballot this year, both for the state and the nation.
This measure, however, has not seen the dust settle around its controversy. Personal views aside, what this measure comes down to is a clear absence of the separation of Church and State that this country’s democratic policies are founded upon. Whether or not one believes or does not believe that same-sex couples should marry based on religious teachings, beliefs, or personal thoughts is irrelevant. The fact of the matter is that a fundamental civil right was just stripped from same-sex couples. The educated and knowledgeable agree to disagree with this proposition. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has expressed hope that the California Supreme Court would overturn Proposition 8.
“It’s unfortunate, obviously, but it’s not the end,” Schwarzenegger said in an interview Sunday on CNN. “I think that we will again maybe undo that, if the court is willing to do that, and then move forward from there and again lead in that area.”
On Sunday, the Governor urged supporters of same-sex marriage to follow the lesson he learned as a bodybuilder trying to lift weights that were too heavy for him at first.
“I learned that you should never ever give up. . . . They should never give up. They should be on it and on it until they get it done.”
Prominent public officials continue to officially oppose Proposition 8. The governor joins California Attorney General Jerry Brown, California Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connel and Senator Dianne Feinstein in opposing this measure.
If I could summarize my feelings in one small phrase, I would say: FIGHT ON. The fight is not over, and the issue will not disappear, must to the dismay of wealthy churches and religious-goers who funded a massive and falsly-informed Proposition 8 campaign.
Editor’s Note: I have posted a video from CNN highlighting street protests throughout Los Angeles. The video is on my other site as they won’t embed properly on WordPress. [Linked]
Photo Credit: Flickr – Taylor through Wikimedia
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